Alex Eala has earned her Wimbledon entry as a top-30 player, and tennis legend Kim Clijsters believes that the Filipino star's grass court game has big potential to be a major threat.

At the Berlin Tennis Open, she took out two top-10 players before falling to Linda Noskova in the semi-final. Clijsters now expects Eala to keep dismantling top seeds at Wimbledon. She is pointing to Eala's game on grass that could be a big issue for opponents.

"We know that she's a good mover, which on grass, if you can bring, you know, a couple of shots back, you're able to make your opponent just make the mistakes a little bit quicker," Clijsters said on the Love All with Kim Clijsters podcast on X on Friday.

Eala possesses elite hand-eye coordination and exceptional footwork. Combined with her intensity, it makes Eala highly dangerous on grass.

"You know, she beat Donna Vikic, and she was like, ‘Oh, that's a good win.' And then beating [Elena] Rybakina, [Elina] Svitolina, like in a row, I was very surprised," Clijsters added.

Eala defeated world No. 2 and 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina and world No. 8 Elina Svitolina in Berlin. Both of her wins were in straight sets.

Consistency is key for Alex Eala, says Kim Clijsters

Eala's rise doesn't guarantee sustainability. Clijsters warned the Filipino tennis star to stay on course while success walks alongside her.

"She has done great things so far at a young age, but, you know, still has some improvements to get to, and consistency is something that is going to be very important," Clijsters said during the same Love All podcast. "A lot of players know her now, know her strengths, know her weaknesses."

Players always force each other to play through their weaknesses. However, mastering her strengths and playing through them could help the 21-year-old take on the toughest challenges.

Earlier this month, she won the WTA 125 Birmingham Open title. There is no bigger evidence of her being a big threat to top-tier players.

This is also Eala's second year playing in Wimbledon. It should add an extra layer of confidence in her campaign before the big Grand Slam event.

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Written by

Nandjee Ranjan

Edited by

Koushik Biswas